The Power
In my journal yesterday, I quoted Max Lucado's Devotional for August 31st. Thinking there were only 30 days in August, I was actually reading Sept. 1st entry. What is simply amazing to me is that reading the missed entry this morning, the timing was perfect for me. It seems my mistake has fit right into His message for me. I need to share the entry that I read this morning:
THE CHOICE IS OURS
"For all of it's peculiarities and unevenness, the Bible has a simple story. God made man. Man rejected God. God won't give up until he wins him back.
God will whisper. He will shout. He will touch and tug. He will take away our burdens; He'll even take away our blessings. If there are a thousand steps between us and Him, He will take all but one. But he will leave the final one for us. The choice is ours.
Please understand. His goal is not to make you happy. His goal is to make you His. His goal is not to get you what you want; it is to get you what you need."
A Gentle Thunder
It seems to me that the more I look to Him, the closer I get to my Barbara. I'm kind of reminded of some lyrics from Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead: "Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been....." Only my trip is just beginning.....
THE CHOICE IS OURS
"For all of it's peculiarities and unevenness, the Bible has a simple story. God made man. Man rejected God. God won't give up until he wins him back.
God will whisper. He will shout. He will touch and tug. He will take away our burdens; He'll even take away our blessings. If there are a thousand steps between us and Him, He will take all but one. But he will leave the final one for us. The choice is ours.
Please understand. His goal is not to make you happy. His goal is to make you His. His goal is not to get you what you want; it is to get you what you need."
A Gentle Thunder
It seems to me that the more I look to Him, the closer I get to my Barbara. I'm kind of reminded of some lyrics from Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead: "Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been....." Only my trip is just beginning.....
Replies
(SMILING)...Thanks for sharing...I\'m smiling because I remember being amazed at how timely God is in speaking to me...I finally learned that His timing is ALWAYS PERFECT...It still amazes me, but it no longer surprises me. And you are getting closer to your beloved Barbara, for she is with Him, just as my Snake is, & each day that passes brings us closer to that time when we will join them there...what a reunion that will be! Blessings & Hugs, my friend ~E~
THIS IS beautiful. . .
THANKS...
Your story has so touched my heart that every time you feel better, uplifted, carried up out of your anguish, I am happier! I love that both God and Jerry Garcia \'speak\' to you!
Thank you Joe, I certainly appreciate your sharing. I totally understand about reading a daily devotional and it always seeme to speak to what you are feeling. I am having the same experience. Here is my reading today and it really spoke to me as I try to learn to live without Spike. The \"dying inside\" has subsided for a few days, and I am looking to rebuild my life, because I have to. Only my son is here, and I have to go forward. I cannot allow myself to sink into a pit. But, I am weak, a lot of my confidence is destroyed in losing Spike, my one great supporter who loved me unconditionally. But I am learning to depend on whatever new adventure comes my way. As this reading states,
accept weakness from Me.\" Hope all enjoy.
\"You begin each day with joyful expectation (not so for us right now but the rest is good) watching to se what I will do. You accept weakness as a gift from Me, knowing that My Power plugs in most readily to consecrated weakness. You keep your plans tentative, knowing that My plans are far superior. You consciously live, move, and have your being in Me, desiring that I live in you. I in you, and you in Me. This is the intimate adventure I offer you.
I love that. My grief is my weakness, my loss is my weakness. But in learning to live again, somehow it will become an adventure in my soul. I certainly don\'t like it. I don\'t like that I have to start my life over, and God may have to drag me kicking and screaming, but there are times in the last few days that I have been able to start accomplishing things that I could not just a week ago. I slowly feel some of my strength coming back in my determination to live. I don\'t know why the \"dying inside\" is gone, but it is. I have wondered if I have become callous, but I don\'t think so. I feel Spike with me pushing me on to live because he would want that more than anything. I am going forward. There are still times within my day that I tear up with a memory, but I am not consumed to the ground like I was. I know there will be days to come that it will overwhelm me at times again, but I am thankful that right now I am functioning. For me, and for him. I love you Spike. I wish for us to all find strength and courage to survive........................luv to all. Patty
The Choice is Ours -- I like that very much. Thanks for the entry. Hugs, Joely